Pinsky apologizes for Cruise comments

Los Angeles -- Dr. Drew Pinsky is sorry for suggesting that Hollywood star Tom Cruise may be the victim of childhood trauma, the "Celebrity Rehab" star said.

Pinsky issued an apology through a representative for saying in an article for Playboy magazine that Cruise's outspoken support of Scientology may be due to a traumatic event in his childhood, The Daily Mail newspaper in Britain said.

Pinsky also addressed a personal attack from Cruise's lawyer, Bert Fields, after his comments went public.

"Although Mr. Fields' intent is clearly to slander and discredit Dr. Drew, under no circumstances is Dr. Drew making a blanket diagnosis about Scientology nor Mr. Cruise whom he does not know," Pinsky said through his representative.

Fields had strongly opposed Pinsky's suggestion of childhood trauma in the "Mission Impossible" star's past and even compared the "Rehab" doctor to a notorious Nazi official, the Daily Mail reported.

"The last time we heard garbage like this was from (Nazi propaganda head) Joseph Goebbels," Fields said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.